Method of and apparatus for heat regulation for buildings



Oct. 9, 1934.

A. J. LEWIS 1,976,619

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HEAT REGULATION FOR BUILDINGS Filed June 2, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet l QQQQQQ 9, 1934- A. J. LEWIS l,976,619

METHOD OF AND APPARATU FOR HEAT REGULATION F OR BUILDINGS Filed June 2, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. J. LEWIS METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HEAT REGULATION FOR BUILDINGS Oct. 9, 1934.

Filed June 2, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 9, 1934. .A' J gw s 1,976,619

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HEAT REGULATION FOR BUILDINGS Filed June 2, 1933 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 9, 1934. A. J. LEWIS 1,976,619

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HEAT REGULATION FOR BUILDINGS Filed June 2, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 am le 33 jizwzzzor fife/wander 411565050 Patented Oct. 9, 1934 UNITED S TATES PATENT OFFICE 1,976,619 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HEAT REGULATION FOR BUILDINGS Alexander J. Lewis, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 2, 1933, Serial No. 674,030

9 Claims.

My invention relates to heat regulation and particularly to a novel system whereby economical and eflicient operation are secured.

The item of cost of heating large buildings is a substantial one and my invention has for its object the provision of a system, substantially automatic in operation, by which efficient heating may be secured at all times under all temperaturebuilding containing a highly diversified series of activities. For example, oflices, stores, a theatre, club rooms operated some in the daytime and some at night or both, a broadcasting station with numerous studios, etc. The building is fortythree stories in height and occupies a large ground area.

The general objects sought and obtained in the system herein described are:

First-A division of the building into three operative sections called for convenience the main section, the intermediate section and the tower section.

Second.-The placing of the steam supply risers in each section in reasonable closely spaced relation, numbering the risers consecutively in each section and then supplying steam to adjacent .risers alternately at longer or shorter intervals depending upon requirements and conditions.

Third-The use of time controlled mechanism for automatically effecting alternate steam supply to the risers, said mechanism being selective as to periods of time and character of control.

Fourth-The provision of an outdoor thermostat adapted to vary the time lengths for steam supplied to the alternate risers according to outdoor temperatures.

Fifth-The provision of manual control for any riser or series of risers, so arranged that independent operation of one series of risers will not interrupt or change the operation for the remainder of the building. I

Sixth-The provision of signal means to the boiler room to operate a sumcient time in advance of a. contemplated change in steam needs, thus avoiding excessive load fluctuations and maintaining the coal consumption curve in substantially exact parallelism with the outdoor temperature curve during normal operation.

The system as above described in general is electrically operated so far as the timing elements and thermostatic control are concerned. The electrically controlled circuits serve to operate motors that actuate various air valves that in turn operate the steam valves.

It will be understood that the system contemplated herein does not include means for thermostatic control of the temperature of individual offices, stores or other working spaces; that control is left to a difierent system and apparatus. My system is intended to control the means for making heat available to the difierent individual regulations and is operated so as to furnish steam according to expected requirements.

For example, during non-working periods, it is not ex pected that the occupants of different spaces will reset the controlling thermostats for a. low temperature, and in the absence of a system such as mine a great amount of steam would be wasted during such periods. Manual control cannot be relied on because of the uncertainty of the human in the service pipes.

In such mild weather, I have found that by furnishing steam alternately to adjacent risers or mains the lateral radiation therefrom into the adjacent spaces will materially hours.

reduce the requirement for direct steam in such The system will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation diagrammatic in form showing the application of the system to a building of a character in which three sections are provided.

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram;

Fig. 3 is a continuation of Fig. 2 and when placed immediately above Fig. 2 with the dinerent wires in register shows a complete wiring diagram for the system.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of a single circuit taken from the main diagram, for greater simplicity of description.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation of one of the control boards for one of the sections of the building; I

Fig. 6 is a similar view or the board for a second section;

Fig. '7 is a detail showing the method of operation of an air valve by the motor;

Fig. 8 is a detail showing the form of the rocker arm forming a part of the reversing switch;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the signalling and Sunday operation.

In Fig. 1, I have shown a building having stores 10, ofiices 11, a theatre 12, and divided into three heating sections, for example, section A which is called the main section, section B called the intermediate section, and section C called the tower section. Each section has a plurality of risers indicated at 13 13, 14, 15 and 16 in section A, at

17 and 18 in section B and at 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

and 24 in section C, the latter being fed downwardly from a main 25 through a high pressure riser 26. The main section and master control board is indicated at D, the intermediate control board at E and the tower control board at F. The control boards E and F are shown in Figs. 5 and 6 respectively. The master control board carries two motors 27, 28, the control board E contains two motors 29, 30'and the control board F carries two motors 31 and 32.

In Fig. 4 I have shown three typical notched discs 33, 34, 35 that are mounted on a common shaft 112 shown in Figs. 9 and 10. This shaft is operated by timing mechanism (not shown) so arranged that the shaft and likewise each disc,

' has one complete revolution each twelve hours.

It will be noted that the discs 33, 34 each have I six projections or elevations and that the rocker arms 38, 39 are mounted in such position that the clockwise rotation of the discs will cause each rocker to be oscillated six times for each revolution-that is, six times every twelve hours or every two hours. However, the discs are set in staggered relation on the shaft 112 and in consequence one of the rockers 38, 39 is actuated each hour.

The disc 35, has twelve elevations and therefore the rocker 40 will be actuated 12 times for each revolution or once each hour. However, the

disc 35 is set on the shaft 112 in such position that its elevations occur at points midway between the elevations on the two discs 33,34; that is, an end view of the assembled discs 33, 34, 35 would show 24 projections in the circumference, one for each half hour.

It should be understood that these notched discs are typical only, and are'used for certain simple operations known as one-hour-onone-hour-oif" and half-hour-on-half-houroff.

These periods may be and are varied widely to suit different building arrangements and requirements. Further it should be understood that the multitude of operations hereafter described and shown in the main diagram are carried out by means of similar appropriate discs all mounted on the same shaft 112. In Figs. 11, 12 and 13 1 have shown other specimen discs, a description of which will be furnished at a later point in the specification.

Each of the rocker arms 38, 39 and 40 is so mounted that when it is raised at the end that rides on the notched disc it will serve to close a contact and complete a circuit. For example, in order to trace the circuit it will be assumed as shown in detail in Fig. 4 and in the full diagram of Fig. 2 that each of the rocker arms has a connection to a wire 36 from a source of electrical power, this being controlled througha switch 37.

With the rocker arm 39 in switch closed position the current flows through the wire 41 through the knife switch 42 closing contacts 43, 44, then through the wire 45 to the relay 46 and thence to the return wire 47. The action of the relay serves to close a circuit in which the feed wire is indicated at 48, the current passing through the closed contacts 49 to the wire 50 and to the two contacts 51, 52. When the knife switch 53 is in upwardly closed position this serves to energize the wires 54, 55 to the motors 27, 28 respectively, through an appropriate reversing switch 54*, 55 in Fig. 2. The circuit is completed through the motors 27, 28 and through the wires 56, 57. This will serve to operate both motors 27, 28 but in reverse directions. Likewise, when the disc 33 is rotated to position to cause the rocker arm 38 to close its switch, the cur-- rent flows through the wire-65, switch 42, then (if the switch is in upper closed position) through wire 45 to relay 46 with the result already described. With the switch in upper closed position, it is assumed that a reversal of the motors has taken place at the 30 minute period intervening between the one hour alternate operation by the discs 3334. However, with the switch 42 in down closed position, the action of the disc 33 will be to complete a circuit through relay 61 instead of relay 46, this being necessary as the intervening 30 minute reversal has been discontinued. The result of the operation of motors 2728 will be described later.

Assuming that the knife switch 42 is in lower closed position and that the time shaft 112 is operating as described, the operation will actuate the motors 27, 28 at one hourintervals, that is the motors will be operated simultaneously but in reverse directions once each hour. This because the contact point 60 in the knife switch 42 is dead, and no actuation'takes place as the result of the rotation of the disc 35. If however, temperature conditions require more heat than will be supplied by one-hour-alternate operations, the knife switch 42 is closed in its upper position in which position the circuit controlled by the disc 35 will be placed in operation and the wire 59 will be energized every hour. However, this disc 35 is placed with its projections in staggered relation to the projections on the discs 33, 34 and an actuation resulting in a simultaneous operation in reverse directions of the two motors 27, 28 will occur every half hour.

The operation of closing the contact controlled by the arm 40 results in energizing the wire 59, thence through the knife switch 42 and the contact 60 through the relay 61 and out through the return wire 47. The action of the relay 61 serves to energize the wire 62 then through a knife switch 53 to wires 63, 64 to the other sides of the motors 27, 28 for reverse operation. This action will occur thirty minutes after the operation previously described. The next successive action will be as the result of the operation of the disc 34 through the described circuit and thirty minutes later, the disc 35 will again operate the parts.

When the switch 58 (Fig. 4) is in the down closed position the clock operation is discontinued and the control is manual by means of the hand ate circuits when the motors 27, 28 have been X1 to X-'-'7 inclusive.

operated to a position in which the steam is on diiferent risers controlled by the motors. Referring'to Fig.2, assume the motor 27 has operated to turn on steam in the risers controlled thereby; and that motor 28 has operated to turn off steam in its risers, at the completion of the cycle the reversing switches associated with each motor will be re-set in such a position that the switch 54 will be closed and the switch 64 will be opened. Current will then pass from wire 56, through wire 71 and the switch 54' to the wire 69 and the lamp 69: thence through wire 69 and relay 105 to the wire 105* from the ground. On a reversal of operation the switch 54 will be opened and switch 64'- closed whereupon current will flow through wires 57--70, switch 64 and wire 68- to lamp 68, thence through wire 68 and relay 105, the ground as described.

' The circuit described covers the operation of motors 2'7, 28 that are'mounted on the master board. However, these motors have no function in connection with the master board as they merely operate a series of air valves that control the risers in the main section of the building. for example, the section A in Fig. 1. Similar pairs of operating motors are mounted on the auxilia y boards E, F that are located in different sections of the building. These motors with the appropriate wiring diagrams are shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and as the circuits are the same and the functions of the motors are the same in each case we will describe the circuit only in connection with Fig. 5. g V

The wires X1 to X--7 inclusive are continuations of the wires correspondingly numbered in the main diagram of Fig. 2, while the wires Z-1 to Z'? are operating wires for the board F and correspond to the similarly lettered wires in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 5 which is a diagram of the board E controlling the intermediate section of the building. I have correlated this diagram with the main diagram shown in Fig. 2 by lettering the corresponding wires on the two figures Wires X1 to X-4 inclusive lead to the binding posts at the lower portion of the knife switch 53* in Fig. 2. As indicated on Fig. 5 the wire X1 corresponds in function to wire 64; the wire X--2 to 55, etc. In. order to explain the function of the wire X1, assume that the relay 61 has been energized by the action 'of a time disc. Current then passes through the contacts closed by the relay, then through the wire 62 to wire 130, then through contacts 131 of relay 86, then through wire 132 through a pair of contacts on the knife switch 53 thence by the wire X1 to the motor 30 shown in Fig. 5 passing through the reversing switch 30, thence'out through the wire 30 to wire X--7 which is the return wire.

through reversing switch 29*, thence out through wire 29 to wire X-'7.

Y When'relay 61 is, closed, the current passing through wire 62'contact 62 in the knife switch 53 willjconduct current through wire X3 to motor 30in Fig. 5, through reversing switch 30, thence'through the motor and out through the wire X--'7. Likewise when relay 46 is closed cur-- rent will pass through contacts 49 over wire 50 thence through contact 133 of relay 86, then through wire 134, contact 51 of knife switch 53, thence outward through wire X-4 to motor 29 in Fig. 5. Wires X-'5, X-6 operate through the reversing switches shown in Fig. 5 to energize the lamps 68, 69 shown in Fig. 2.

Wire Z -1 shown in the arrangement of board F in Fig. 6 functions as follows: With the closing of relay 46 current passing through the contacts and wire 50 passes through contacts 135 of relay 86, thence through wire 136 and through contact 50 of knife switch 53 thence through wire Z-1 to motor 32 in Fig. 6 through reversing switch 32 thence out through wire 32 to return wire Z7. The closing of relay 61 causes current to pass through wire 62, then through the switch 53 to wire Z2, then through motor 31 reversing switch 31 and out through return wire Z7. The detail of wires Z3, Z4 and Z5 and Z6 should be readily understood from the preceding description.

It should be understood that the system shown in the diagram contemplates the operation of three units or sections, and that each unit includes two motors 2'7 and 28, 29 and 30, 31 and 32, all of them operating simultaneously by operation of the timing discs heretofore described. The number of sections or divisions might be multiplied or reduced, the only difierence in the wiring being the addition or subtraction of duplicate mechanisms.

All operations heretofore described are performed by three discs shown in Fig. 4 and illustrated diagrammatically by the series of concentric circles at the center of Fig. 2. These circles with the dots and connecting lines are intended to indicate the provision for half hour operation, the figures surrounding the outer circle being intended to represent a twelve hour period of a day. The wire 36 leading to the center of the circles is the common power wire such' as shown under the corresponding number in Fig. 4, while the numbers 41. 59 and are corresponding wires leading from the contacts actuated by the rocker arms that engage the respective discs 34, 35 and 33. Thus with only three tral diagram. this supplemental showing consistin of a plurality of circles with dots thereon, each dot indicating a contact that is successively made due to the rotation of the disc by the timed shaft 112.

In the supplemental diagram a common power wire similar to wire 36 is indicated at '72. Mounted on the time shaft 112 as shown in Fig. 9 are a large number of discs, each one of which has projections that correspond to a dot in the diagram. It being understood that when the disc rides to a point at which contact is made with the wires shown a circuit will be closed through the wire 72 and the corresponding connected wire.

When an appropriate disc rotates to a point to close a contact and energize the wire '73, it serves to light a lamp 74 in the boiler room; this is an action that takes place at a predetermined time before steam is to be required for a will take place.

the boiler room, thus notifying the engineer in advance of automatic operations that may lessen or increase the need for steam. The next operation that takes place is the closing ofa circuit through the wire '77 which passes through the knife switch 78, contacts 79, then through the wire 80 over to the relay '46, following which a motoractuation operation occurs as heretofore described. As the discs rotate, the next operation will be the closing of a contact and energizing the wire 81 which likewise passes through the knife switch 78, thence through the wire 82 to the relay 61 effecting a reversal of motor operation as heretofore described. As shown these operations take place at relatively long intervals, in order to furnish only enough heat to prevent freezing in the building. For example, the spacing of the contacts controlling the wires 77-80 indicates a period of about 45 minutes; further, it will be noted that the wires of contacts '7'7--80- 83 87 88 are repeated so that the sequence takes place 3 times during each 12 hour period. Thus, as described, the operation would result in 45 minutes on and 4 hours off for alternate risers. This, as previously stated, is a matter of selection, the appropriate disks for any desired sequence of operation being placed on the time shaft 112. In order to automatically take the system out of normal control for Sunday and holiday operation, the switches 84, '78 will be closed at the proper time and a contact 83a will be closed to energize the wire 83 which serves to operate the solenoid switch 85. This serves to open the various switches mounted on the arm 86 and to break the circuits in all of the on wires; in other words, the wires through which the motors might otherwise be caused to operate to turn on the steam. Further travel of the discs results in closing-a contact 8'7 and energizing a wire 87 which leads through the knife switch 78 and energizes the relay 61, but the operation of energizing the operating motors is effective only on one motor to turn off the steam control the other motor being inactive due to the opening of the switch 86. Further travel results in closing a contact 88 and energizing the wire 88 which through the knife switch 78 energizes the relay 61 and effects a further motor operation in the event that any of the motors may have been on and not turned off by the preceding operation.

The last three operations take place in rather close sequence. Of course, 'when the knife switch 78 is open, none of the operations just described This switch is placed in operative position for Sunday and holiday operation when it may be necessary to furnish heat at intermittent intervals to avoid freezing.

In order to effect automatic control according to outdoor temperatures, I provide apparatus, a diagram of which is shown in Fig. 3 comprising a thermostat 89, shown diagrammatically as providing an arm 90, having a power connection through the switch 91 to the wire 92. When the. thermostat arm makes contact at the point marked 45 current will be supplied through the wire 93. This will energize the solenoid 94 and close the contacts carried by the arm 96 the ground being established through the wire '95. It is assumed that when outdoor control is desired, the switch 42is in open or neutral position, as shown in Fig. 2.

The action of the solenoid 94 serves to move the contact pieces to the left in Fig. 3, the closing of the' contact 96*energizing a wire 92* and lightinga lamp 92.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, and following the power wire 36, which is the common supply for the clock discs, it will be seen that when the disc 34 has rotated to a point as shown in Fig. 4 where the contact is closed and wire 41 is energized-this serves to energize wire 9'7, Figs. 2 and 3, thence through contact 96 wire 96 to wire 104. This wire, Fig. 2, leads through relay 46, closing contacts 49, and energizing wire 50;

\ thence through contacts 52 in the switch 53," and wire 55, to the motor 28. The wire 50 is common to the other switches 53 53 and the motors of the auxilliary control boards are likewise actuated. One half an hour later the disc 35 will close a contact and energize a wire 59, Fig. 2 and this energizes wire 99, Fig. 3, thence through contacts 96 and wire 96 to wire 103. This wire energizes the relay 61 and energizing wire 62, thence through the switch 53 and wire 63 to motor 27; in other words, this results in turning on heat in the risers controlled by the motor 27 and turning off the heat in the risers controlled by the motor 28, at 30 minute intervals.

Thirty minutes later, the disc 33 will move to a position to close a contact and energize wires 65 and 98, thence through contacts 96 and wire 96 to wire 104, whereby relay 46 is operated with the result already described. Thus with the temperature outdoors at 45 the operation will be hour on and hour off, throughout the building.

However, should the temperature rise to 55, the thermostat arm will make contact and energize wire 100, thus energizing solenoid 101 and closing the switches 102. The contact 102 lights a lamp 102*. The closing of the contacts 102- 102 enables the wires 103104 to be energized by the closing of contacts by the discs 3334, through wires 6541 and 98-97, resulting in alternation at one hour intervals. However, while the disc 35 will close a contact to energize wires 59-99, the contact 102 is incomplete and there is no actuation of the motors at the hour interval.

Assuming that the temperature rises to, say 62 outside of the building, the thermostat arm 90 will close a contact to energize the wire 137 shown in Fig. 3 and at the upper right hand corner of Fig. 2, and this will act even though the switch 84 is open, to energize the solenoid 85, and to open the switches 86. This contact in the thermostatic ,switch, indicated at 138 will continue through further travel of the arm 90 toward a higher temperature, and at a further half degree increase, will serve to close a contact and energize a wire 139 which likewise energizes vire 104. Further travel over a half degree range will close a contact and energize a wire 140 which is connected to the wire 103, the effect following the energizing of wires 103 and 104 being described in the preceding matter. The effect however, is to shut down all motors and discontinue the supply of heat to the building.

In order that the boiler room may have information at all times when steam is required, it will be noted by reference to Fig. 2 that I provide a relay circuit 105 in series with the lamp circuits 70, 71, etc. Therefore, whenever any lamp is energized the relay will be closed and current will pass through the wire 106 to a lamp 107 in the boiler room.

As an added precaution against misoperation in the event that an electric clock is used as the time element for operating the discs, I provide means such as shown in Fig. 2

consisting of a circuit 108 containing a relay the action of which maintains the switch 109 in open position at all times when there is current in the lines. However, in the event of failure of the current switch 109 will close and current through a separate circuit 110 serves to ring a bell 111, thus notifying the attendant that the'time device has temporarily discontinued operation.

In Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive I have illustrated the details of the time controlled mechanism shown in the diagram in the preceding figures. In those figures I illustrate a shaft 112 so connected as to rotate once in twelve hours by a clock, not shown. On this shaft is mounted a plurality of discs, the number and configuration of which will depend on the requirements of operation. For example, in Fig. 11, I have shown a disc 113 having 12 notches such as shown at 35 in Fig. 4. In Fig. 12, I have shown a disc 114 having notches arranged at one hour and one-hour-two-hour intervals. In Fig. 13 I have shown a disc 115, a plurality of which are used as signalling discs and Sunday and holiday circuits described by the numerals 72 to 88. The discs and shaft are mounted on a suitable frame and the operating arms 116 are pivoted thereabove in the proper position above the contact elements 117. This arrangement provides for practically unlimited sele'ctionof time intervals according to needs in each case. r

The description up to this point has been of the electrical control for the various operations. The motors that are electrically actuated have the function of operating air valves through which steam is supplied to or shut off from the various risers. As shown in Fig. 5 and duplicated in the other boards, the motor, shaft 118 has a worm 119 engaging a worm wheel 120. This wheel carries a pin 121 which engages a yoke 122 best shown in Fig. 8, and connected to the reversing switch 123. The contacts opened and closed by this switch are shown in the diagram of Fig. 2. In each case where one set of contacts is closed as in Fig. 8 the contacts in the signal light circuit are likewise closed.

The worm wheel 120 is carried on a shaft 124.

which operates an air valve 125 in the air manifold 126 which leads to the various individual air valves 127 on the adjacent board. Each of the air valves 127 controls the admission of air to the diaphragm operated steam valve of a riser. The various air-operated steam valves in the risers may be of the type that is closed by air pressure and opened by a spring. Thus the hand valves 127 will normally be in a position to permit the air to fiow through the same to the steam valves. When, however, it is desired to manually open the steam valves of any riser, the handle 128 of the proper valve 127 is turned to close the valve to the supply of air and to exhaust the air in the line to the steam valve, thus permitting the steam valve to be opened by its spring. Preferably the valves and the risers will be numbered consecutively and the operation of the motors will serve to alternately turn on and off the adjacent risers.

Referring to Fig. 1 and to the control board D indicated diagrammatically, it will be seen that hen the motor 27 is actuated air from a source ofsupply through the pipe 125 will be delivered to the manifold 126 and thence to the air valves. The pipes from the air valves are indicated in double lines. The diaphragm operated valves in the risers are lettered 13 13, 14, 15 and 16 in the risers that are lettered 13 13, 14, 15 and 16 and the air valves on the board are correspondingly lettered. Thus when the motor 27 operates to admit air to the manifold 126 the air valves 13 14- and 16 will be operated to admit steam to the alternate risers. correspondingly when there is a further actuation the motor 27 will operate to shut olT those air valves and open'the air valves 13 and 15 Correspondingly, referring to the intermediate section control board E, when on motor operates it will admit air to valve 17 which will admit steam to riser 17. When the opposite actuation takes place, this valve will be shut off and'valve 18 will be opened admitting steam to riser 18. The corresponding action takes place in connection with the tower section controlled by the board F, the valves being correspondingly numbered.

It will be understood that the illustration in Fig. 1 is wholly diagrammatic and is intended merely to show the capacity for alternate supply of heat to adjacent risers. This is likewise true as to Figs. 5 and 6 which serve to show the wiring diagram and the air pipe diagram. A detail of board D hasnot been included as it is in effect practically a duplicate of board F shown in Fig. 6.

While I have illustrated the operation by means of a reversing electric motor-which is used for operating master air valves, it will be understood that other forms of motors may be used instead.

In operation assuming the installation of the system and the division of the building into approprlate sections, the engineer will select suitable notched discs and by the removal of the shaft 112 place the discs on the shaft in proper relation. For example, if he wishes to provide for one-hour-on-one-hour-ofi, and half-houronhalf-hour-ofi, he will place on the shaft discs such as shown at 33, 34, 35 in Fig. 4. 'He will likewise select discs to provide for night or Sunday and holiday operations, such as shown in Fig. 12, that is, two-hours-ofl, half-hour-on. He will also select discs for performing the signalling operations such.- as operated by the wires 73, 75, etc. After placing the selected discs on the shaft and starting the clock, the continued .operation is all controlled by the operation of the switch 42 which selectively provides for hour or half "hour alternation; by the switch '78 which places the building under night or Sunday and holiday operation and by the switches 53, 53 53 which enable the control by manual operation. He may further control any riser or series of risers manually by means of the air valves.

The operative periods described are selected merely as simple examples; actually, the periods used by the applicant in practice are such as 20 minutes onone hour off; half hour on, two and one half hours off, etc. Of course, if the heat dissipation at the point of use was constant, there would be no difference between one hour onone hour off, and half hour onhalf hour off; actually, however, the radiators at the point of use are controlled by a room thermostat and under some temperature conditions the room thermostat would call for heat during, say, 45 minutes of each hour; obviously, therefore, if the heat was off a full hour there would be a period where heat was required and none available; and this would not occur during half hour onhalf hour ofi operation. However, it is practically invariable that any space to be heated is served by two or more risers, one of which will be furnishing steam when another is shut oil. This serves to modify somewhat the effect described in the preceding portion of this paragraph.

In general, the operation will have been understood from the preceding description. It may be well to add however, that the system is extremely flexible in that it provides for any possible need in -a building having diversified activities without excessive heat loss by supplying it to points where it is not needed; it provides forindividual operation of any riser or series of 1 risers; it provides for Sunday and holiday opthe night.

It will be understood that in real winter weather the described system will not be used during working hours because it will be necessary to deliver steam to all of the risers at all times. However, at night or on Sundays during such weather the system will be put in operation. During working hours in cold weather switch 78 will be open, switch 42 will be open and switch 53 will be in down-closed'position. In milder .weather, during working hours, the switch 78 will be open, the switch 53 in upper-closed position. If half hour alternation is desired, the switch 42 will be closed in upper position and if one hour alternation or some other longer time interval is needed, the switch 42 is closed in down position. On Sundays or holidays the switches 53 are closed in up-position, the switch 42 open and the switch '78 closed. This will put the control under the outdoor thermostat.

If the engineer wishes to take any section out of automatic control the respective switch 53, 53, 53 is closed in down position thusplacing the section under manual control.

If with the whole' building on night operation any particular office or section requires heat, the required hand valves 128 may be operated thus taking the corresponding risers out of automatic control and furnish a constant supply of heat.

The term adiacen in the claims as a definition of the relation of the respective risers, is used in its broad sense, such as contemplated by the terms near or neighboring and not necessarily in the sense of adioining" or contiguous.

I claim:

1. The method of heat regulation of buildings which are provided with valves for controlling individual heat supply risers, which consists in automatically alternating the supply of heat to adjacent risers according to a predetermined time interval. I

2. The method of heat regulation of buildings which are provided with valves for controlling individual heat supply risers, which consists in automatically alternating the supply 01' heat to adjacent risers according to a predetermined time interval during working hours and then automatically alternating the supply of heat to said risers at a different time interval during nonworking hours.

3. The method of heat regulation of buildings which'are provided with valves for controlling individual heat-supply risers, which consists in automatically alternating the supply of heat to adjacent risers according to a predetermined time interval during working hours and then automatically alternating the supply of heat to -said risers at a difierent time interval during nonworking hours and manually segregating any risers from said automatic control during any period.

4. The method of heat regulation of buildings which are provided with valves for controlling individual heat supply risers, which consists in automatically alternating the supply of heat to adjacent risers according to a predetermined time interval, and continuously testing outdoor temperatures and automatically varying said time intervals according to said outdoor temperature variations.

5. The method of regulating the supply of heat to relatively large buildings having individual valve control for each heat supply riser and divided into a plurality of heating sections, with the controls for each section in closely adjacent relation, which consists in automatically alternating the supply of heat to adjacent risers according to a predetermined time schedule, and providing for control of groups from a central point.

6. The method of regulating the supply of heat to relatively large buildings having individual valve control for each heat supply riser and divided into a plurality of heating sections, with the controls for each section in closely adjacent relation, which consists in automatically altemating the supply of heat to adjacent risers according to a predetermined time schedule, and providing for control of groups from a central point, then automatically varying said time schedule according to outdoor temperatures.

'7. A heating system for large building, comprising in combination, a plurality of adjacent risers, valves for each riser, motor actuated means for simultaneously turning on the valves of certain risers and turning off the valves on adjacent risers, and time controlled means for effecting the operation of said motors according to a predetermined schedule.

8. A heating system for large buildings, comprising in combination, a plurality of adjacent risers, valves for each riser, motor actuated means for simultaneously turning on the valves of certain risers and turning oil the valves on adjacent.

risers, time controlled means for effecting the operation of said motors according to a predetermined schedule during normal working hours,

and means for operating said time controlled mechanism on a difierent schedule for non-working hours.

9. A heating system for large buildings, comprising in combination, a plurality of adjacent risers, valves for each riser, motor actuated means for simultaneously turning on the valves of certain risers and turning ofi the valves on adjacent risers, time controlled means for eflecting the operation of said motors according to a predetermined schedule, an outdoor thermostat, and means operable thereby for varying said time schedule according to outdoor temperature.

ALEXANDER J. LEWIS. 

